PKR congress: ‘Scoundrels’ flaming racial tension to destabilise govt, says PM

(The Star) – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was in his element as he lambasted and threatened “his foes” who were attempting to create racial disunity as well as destabilise the government.

In his address at the PKR Special National Congress here on Saturday, Anwar chided those who were bringing together “Tuns, Tan Sris and big towkays to create trouble using racial sentiments and asking the Malays to hate other races saying they (the Malays) were losing power”.

“’Patriotism’, racism and religious bigotry combined are the last refuge of the scoundrel,” said Anwar.

To those claiming that Malay interests were being eroded, Anwar asked them what they had done when they were in power.

“You held the power including the government for three years recently – where is the RUU355, where was the increase in funds to develop projects in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis?” asked Anwar while adding that this year’s Budget was the one with increased funds for the development of these states.

He said the detractors resorted to using this (tactic of fanning racial sentiments) after they had lost power, when challenged and when frightened with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Inland Revenue Department (LHDN) attacks.

He said the individuals in question were rich with billions of ringgits at their disposal but did not want to pay taxes and carted their funds overseas.

“You expect me to be bengong (dumb) to allow this and collect taxes from the people?

“I will collect taxes from the people but at the same time will not allow super-rich towkays to get away from paying taxes,” he said.

He said in the past political power was used to protect “big criminals, big bribers and a select few to enable them to enrich themselves”.